Annaba (Arabic: عنابة‎, formerly Bône,
historically Hippo) is a city in the northeastern
corner of Algeria near the
river Seybouse
and the Tunisian border. It
is located in Annaba Province. With a population of
258,058 (2002 estimate), it is the fourth largest city in Algeria.
It is a leading industrial centre in eastern Algeria.

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Prehistory and History

The vicinity of Annaba has yielded evidence of very early
hominid occupation at Ain el Hanech, near Saïda (ca. 200,000 B.C.),
including artefacts that show remarkable tool-making craftsmanship. Other archaeological
finds include tools in the Levalloisian and Mousterian styles
produced by humans (Homo sapiens) well before 100,000
years ago, similar to those in the Levant. According to some
sources, prehistoric
Algeria was the site of the most advanced development of flake-tool
techniques in the Middle Early Stone Age (Middle Paleolithic). Tools
from this era, starting from at least as early as 85,000 B.C., are
called Aterian after the
site Bir el Ater south of Annaba. These tools are marked by a high
standard of workmanship, great variety, and specialization. See Prehistory of Central North Africa.

During French rule, the city was known as Bône. It was one of
the main European settlements, having a sizeable pied-noir minority. One famous pied-noir from Bône was Alphonse Juin, a Marshal of
France and a former NATO Central Europe Commander.

From Wikitravel

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Get in

By plane

Annaba is best reached by air. It's airport (Rabah Bitat
International Airport) has regular services to Paris (Orly),
Marseille, and Lyons. However, these frequencies aren't frequent
and one should check an Air Algerie timetable when planning a trip.
There are four daily flights between Algiers and Annaba. Annaba
also has regular service to Oran.

By sea

There is a ferry service from Marseille to Annaba operated by,
Ferries Algerie.

By Road

One can also reach Annaba by road quite easily from most major
Algerian cities. However, due to the lack of quality infrastructure
this is the least desirable option.

Get around

From the airport there is a regular bus shuttle service that
runs to downtown Annaba.

The best way to get around Annaba is with taxis. They are the
easiest, and most efficient way to get around, and they're readily
available. There is also a network of bus routes that connect
downtown Annaba with the rest of the city and surrounding
suburbs.

See

One of the must sees of Annaba is the Church of Saint-Augustine
of Hippo, or "Lela Bouna" as it is sometimes reffered to in Arabic.
It is on a hill not too far outside downtown, and it's a dominating
sight. Taxis run regularly to and from the church. The Church
itself is a marvel, with stunning architecture and ancient Roman
ruins right behind it. Saint Augustine's hand is kept inside the
church.

Downtown Annaba is a great place to take a stroll. Visit "Le
Cours" the central square in downtown and try some delicious ice
cream sold at local cafes. Walk around downtown and be surrounded
by French colonial architecture and stunning contrasts of old and
new. Just off Le Cours is "La Place d'Armes". The oldest part of
the city (the Kasbah), it boasts magnificent Ottoman architecture
and was build starting in the 12th century. Enjoy narrow alleys and
walkways and marvel at the fact that people to this day still live
in these houses. It is on a hill and at the bottom at the entrance
of La Place d'Armes is a mosques built by the Turks in the 16th
century.

Do

A visit to Annaba is not complete without enjoying it's
beautiful Meditteranean coastline and one of it's many beaches.
During the day enjoy relaxing day at one of the beaches and at
night head to "La Corniche". Located at the beach "Chappui" it
comes alive at night with restaurants, clubs and people enjoying
the crisp, cool refreshing air. A great end to any day.

There's also an Amusement Park in the neighbourhood of "Les
Allemends" that offers a good time for families with young
children.

Eat

Annaba has countless places to eat. Whether they be small family
owned cafes, and restaurants to big fancy places there is a wide
range of places to chose from. The fancier restaurants are almost
exclusively located at La Corniche, and by major beaches. However,
cafes and restaurants are located all over town.

Where ever one goes in Algeria, whether they are in the west,
east or south of the country, trying the pizza sold at local cafes
and restaurants is a must. Similar to the way Italians make pizza
in Italy, it is delicious, and a welcome change to the usual round,
heavy, topping filled pizza served in most western countries. One
thing Annaba specializes in, is "bourek". Bourek is an Algerian
"eggroll". The east of Algeria, and more so Annaba, specializes in
this delicacy. It's a must have when visiting Annaba.

Enjoying a coffee and croissant at a cafe with the locals is
always a good thing.

Get out

There are a number of places to visit that are around or close
to Annaba.

Seraidi: Seraidi is a small village up high in
the mountains that surround Annaba. It's about 13 km from downtown.
It's a great place to enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle
of the city and escape enjoying the tranquility and clean, crisp
air. There is a famous hotel there known to the locals as "Hotel
Al-Hawa", literally "hotel of the wind". It is called that because
it's so high up that it breaks the clouds and offers a great place
to stay and has amazing views. On a clear day one can see the
amazing views of the coastline and natural beaches below. On a
cloudy day there is noting but clouds. It's a great place to see
the sunrise or sunset.

El Caala: El Caala is a small town about an
hour and a half drive east of Annaba. It's on the road to Tuinisia
so it is very service oriented. There are many hotels, clubs,
restaurants to enjoy. The beach of course, and many souvenirs one
can get from there. Not far from El Caala there is "La Vielle
Calle" or "Old Caala". There is a wonderful beach there and ruins
of a French fort which are beautiful. La Vielle Calle is about
30-45 minutes away.

Tunisia: Annaba is in the east of Algeria, not
far from the Tunisian border. A drive to the Tunisian capital,
Tunis, takes about four hours. The roads leading to Tunisia from
Annaba are very well serviced and have numerous service oriented
places on the way, such as reataurants, hotels and gas
stations.

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